Republic of Congo: FCPF Readiness Grant FCPFR - FOREST CARBON PARTNERSHIP FACILITY

Transcription

1 Assignment: TF Republic of Congo: FCPF Readiness Grant FCPFR - FOREST CARBON PARTNERSHIP FACILITY Task Team Leader: Approving Manager: Julian Lee - Benoit Bosquet Summary Information TF Status ACTV Recipient Country Congo Executed By Recipient Managing Unit GENDR Grant Start Date / End Date 01/11/2012 to 06/30/2016 Original Grant Amount 3,400, Grant Amount 3,400, Outstanding Commitments 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements 2,342, as of 06/30/2015 Disbursed 07/01/2014 to 06/30/2015 1,243, Donor TF MULTIPLE DONORS This GRM report includes the following sections: Overview, Components, Outcome, Execution, Program(FCPFR), Disbursements. Page 1 of 5

2 OVERVIEW Overall Assessments Grant Objectives: The Project Development Objective is to reinforce the Republic of Congo#s capacities to design a socially and environmentally sound national strategy to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) and to develop a national reference emissions level for REDD+. Overall progress from 07/01/2014 to 06/30/2015 with regard to Achieving Grant Objectives: Comment: Overall progress has been moderately satisfactory. This is a result of generally satisfactory progress that has in some instances been characterized by implementation delays, in particular in the development of the SESA and the National REDD Strategy. It is expected that most activities can be finalized in calendar year 2015 as planned, however the preparation of the National REDD Strategy will need to carry over into the additional funding period in Activities funded by the FCPF in Phase 1 (related to the preparation of strategic and technical tools of REDD+ in the Congo) include: 1. Coordination of REDD+ readiness process and multi-stakeholder consultation Component 1a: Coordination of the REDD+ Readiness Process The establishment of the National Coordination REDD: The CN-REDD is functional and equipped and works in a participatory manner with the national platform (CACO-REDD). Substantial progress made: The decree n of February 27th 2015 (REDD+ implementing entities' creation, organization and function) has been published and approved. Component 1b: Promotion of multi-stakeholder consultation The CN-REDD uses the national CSO and IP platforms for regular consultations and to disseminate information. The R-PP has been translated into local languages as part of the communication plan. Awareness workshops for all stakeholders (government, civil society, academics, etc.) have been held to better inform them on REDD+. 2. Design of a national REDD+ strategy Component 2a: Preparation of the National REDD+ Strategy Studies and workshops have been done to consolidate the national strategy (study on the drivers of deforestation, studies on SESA, a study on the consumption of energy wood, study of the implementation of REDD +, etc.); Substantial progress made : Draft national REDD + strategy produced and presented to high level entities (Ministers of Land Use Planning, Planning, Research and Development). There also have been high-level ministerial consultations on REDD+ (Ministries of Agriculture, Mine, Energy, Land Us Planning, etc.). Component 2b: National reference emission level Substantial progress made: The methodological approach to finalize the REDD + REL and the reference scenario has been elaborated, and the action plan for the implementation of the National MRV System and other benefits monitoring developed. Component 2c: REDD+ Implementation Framework Substantial progress made: The implementation Framework was finalized and validated in May Component 2d: Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment The SESA study has been reactivated in parallel with the national REDD+ strategy. The first drafts are available. Substantial progress made: Environmental and Social Safeguards (PCI-REDD +) validated. 3. Informing the preparation of a national reference scenario for REDD+ No activities. Further substantial progress: - Completion of the ER-PIN Sangha-Likouala in the Republic of Congo; - US$ 5.2 million in additional funding was accepted by the FCPF and will enable to finalize (i) The implementation of the benefits-sharing mechanism (ii) the implementation of the FGRM. - Acceptance of the Republic of Congo's expression of interest to the Forest Investment Program Page 2 of 5

3 - Synergies between FCPF and UN-REDD budgets to implement the R-PP in the Republic of Congo; - National stakeholder capacity building; - Task force implementation on REL, SIS, MRV and REDD+ pilot projects Overall progress from 07/01/2014 to 06/30/2015 with regard to Implementation of Grant Financed Activities: Comment: Grant implementation remains moderately satisfactory. Generally satisfactory progress at times is hampered by capacity constraints. The CN-REDD is operational and equipped. CN-REDD co-funding from UN-REDD (US$ 4 million) will come to a close in The mid-term review was closely coordinated between FCPF and UN-REDD (and other initiatives) and validated by the FCPF CP19 in Washington in May 2015, enabling the release of US$ 5.2 million in additional funding starting in In the meantime, the FCPF Readiness grant has been extended until the end of 2015 to ensure a smooth transition from the expiring UN-REDD funding. The FCPF will be continuing activities supported by UN-REDD, including high-level dialogue and the decentralization process. The additional funding request sets the following priorities: - Ensure functional institutional arrangements and institutionalize inter-sectoral policy dialogue - Finalize and test main REDD+ outputs, namely national REDD+ strategy, FGRM, SESA/ESMF, reference level, MRV - Promote decentralization of REDD+ into provinces - Strengthen CSO participation and implement communication plan Grant follow-up and structure Description and context of Grant: Expected follow up (if any): Follow up Bank project/loan/credit/grant Comment on follow up: The up-coming mission in October 2015 (including GENDR and FMT members) will focus on the status of readiness and next steps (including towards R-Package delivery in March 2016), development of the ER-P (ERPD assessment, consultant field mission on the field, review of first draft of ERPD chapters, etc.). End Date of Last Site Visit: Restructuring of Grant: OUTCOME Comments on outcome achieved from 07/01/2014 to 06/30/2015 The major progress in FY15 is that a first draft of the national REDD+ strategy has been produced and that it was presented during a high level meeting on August 6. The implementation framework has also been validated and a decree on REDD+ has been published. Grant Outcome Indicators No Outcome indicators are defined or used for this grant. Page 3 of 5

4 COMPONENTS Output and Implementation by Component Support to the coordination of the REDD+ Readiness Process and Multi-stakeholder Consultations CN-REDD is functional and equipped. CN-REDD is functional and equipped. Awareness workshops for all stakeholders (government, civil society, academics, etc.) have been held to better inform them on REDD+. 2. Contribution to the Design of a national REDD+ strategy Proress on devising the national REDD+ infrastructure Draft national REDD strategy, draft methodology for REL and reference scenario, MRV implementation action plan, draft SESA produced 3. Informing the national reference scenario for REDD+ None planned None, as per plan Comment on planned and actual Output Comment on component implementation progress EXECUTION Bank project related to the grant Project ID / Name: Project Global Focal Area: Product Line: P CG - FCPF REDD READINESS Lending Climate change CN - Carbon Offset Implementing agency and contact details Agency: Ministry of Sustainable Development, Forest Economy & Environment - CN-REDD Contact: George Boudzanga Address: Brazzaville Phone: bouzgege@yahoo.fr Website: Page 4 of 5

5 PROGRAM Program Specific Questions 1. Describe progress in how the Grant activities are being coordinated with other REDD+-related initiatives, including those funded by Describe progress in how the Grant activities are being coordinated with other REDD+-related initiatives, including those f CN-REDD coordinates between the FCPF and UN-REDD activities and synergies exist between both budgets. The partnership with CIB-OLAM is advancing well. CIB-OLAM's expert is generally committed and is helping in promoting the program through the private sector. 2. Describe any important changes in the technical design or approach related to the Grant activities. Not applicable 3. Describe progress in addressing key capacity issues (implementation, technical, financial management, procurement) related to this Grant. Technical capacity among several CN-REDD staff remains weak, and staffing will be reviewed with the additional funding. 4. Describe progress in addressing social and environmental issues (including safeguards) related to the Grant. Is the SESA conducted in accordance with the Common Approach? A draft SESA has been prepared. A joint mission with the consulting firm working on the ERPD will test the benefit-sharing mechanism. 5. Is the ESMF prepared in accordance with the Common Approach? No activity to report at this stage. 6. Describe progress in stakeholder consultation, participation, disclosure of information, and the FGRM related to this Grant. The CN-REDD uses the national CSO and indigenous peoples platform, CACO-REDD, for regular consultations (e.g. monthly technical working meetings) and to share information (R-PP translated in local languages). A representative of CACO-REDD confirmed satisfactory consultations and close relationships with CN-REDD during a meeting with GENDR and FMT. CN-REDD's Documentation Centre has been available for public disclosure of key documents since January DISBURSEMENTS Disbursements Summary in USD Date From Date To Planned Cumulative Planned Period Actual Cumulative Actual Period 01/01/ /30/ , , /01/ /31/ , , /01/ /30/ , , /01/ /31/ , , /01/ /30/ ,099, , /01/ /31/ ,843, , /01/ /30/ ,342, , /01/ /31/ /01/ /30/ Page 5 of 5